Publishers' Bindings often
featured the work of artists and graphic designers. They
left their marks -- both literally and figuratively -- on the publishers' bindings of the 1880s through the
end of the publishers' binding era. A noted exception
is exception of John Feely, a prominent engraver who
worked
in
the field from the 1840s to the 1870s.
Margaret Armstrong
and Sarah Wyman Whitman, two relatively well-known
designers are of interest
to some book collectors today. Other designers have
left us with little more than a discreet initial on
a binding along with their beautiful designs, their identities
remaining a mystery.

Featured
here are some of the most prominent designers in the
PBO project. We have compiled a list of identified
designers with biographies and examples, as well
as a list of unidentified designers.
Biographical information
when available about these designers are included, along
with some examples
of their
monograms. A bibliography of binding
designer resources is also available. If you have any
information you wish to share relating to these or any designers,
please contact
us.